Neurological Disorders - Medical Flashcards
Structural Lesion
Tumour, abscesses, pressure from bleeding
Toxic metabolic states
Presence of circulating toxins or metabolites or lack of oxygen and glucose
Slower onset
Metabolic coma
Anoxia, Hypoglycemia, diabetic ketoacidosis etc
Cardiovascular System Coma
Hypertensive encephalopathy, shock, stroke
Respiratory System Coma
Disruption of normal O2/CO2 delivery/excretion in toxic levels, toxic inhalation
Cerebrovascular Accident
Sudden alteration in LOC/sensation/voluntary movement due to obstruction of artery in brain
Ischemic Stroke
Occlusion of an artery, often in carotids
Can be from plaque buildup, embolis, thrombus, tumor
S/S of CVA
Facial drooping, confusion, loss of balance, weakness in arm/legs, speech difficulty, blurred vision
Hemiparesis/Hemipalegia
Weakness/paralysis on one side
Aphasia
Loss of speech
Dysarthria
Slurred speech
Hemorrhagic Stroke
Bleeding in cranial vault
TIA
Temporary reduction in blood flow, focal cerebral dysfunction, no permanent damage
S/S of TIA
Related to location of ischemia, weakness, paralysis, face numbness
Indicators to transport to designated stroke centre
At least ONE of unilateral arm/leg weakness, slurred speech or inappropriate words, facial droop AND
Can be transported within 6 hours of clearly determined time of symptom onset
what is a seizure
Temporary alteration in consciousness or behaviour causes by neurons firing uncontrollable
Types of seizures
Generalized - entire
Partial - known focus
Generalized - Petit Mal
Absence seizure, lapse of consciousness usually stare off, maybe isolated clonic activity usually in 4-12 year olds
Grand Mal Tonic clonic
Tonic and clonic phases that may be preceded by an aura
Tonic phase
Short phase where every thing tenses, tongue biting, air is pushed out of lungs
Clonic phase
Jerking of muscles, confusions, ANS discharge
Postictal phase
Drowsiness, confusion fatigue following seizure
Status epilepticus
Prolonged seizures, reoccurring before consciousness is regained
Partial simple seizure
Seizure limited to one focal area, no loss of consciousness. If sensory can be tingling, numbness, visual
Jacksonian seizure
Seizure activity involving a brief alteration in movement, sensation or nerve function
E.g twitching, lip smacking
Complex partial seizure
Manifests as changes in behaviour, automatisms, and periods of amnesia
Most common in adults with epilepsy
Brain Neoplasms
A tumor, can be malignant or benign, location of it will determine symptoms
Brain Abscess
Purulent material (pus) surrounded by a capsule which is developed from a bacterial infection
Meningitis
Infections, usually bacterial of the meninges, can result from trauma or surgery
Muscular dystrophy
Slow progressive degeneration of muscle fibres, life expectancy 12 years, usually die from heart failure
Multiple Sclerosis
Patches of Myelin in the brain are destroyed, causes issue in nerve conduction and message impulses
Dystonia
Local or diffuse alteration in muscle tone
Parkinson’s Disease
Degeneration or damage to nerve cells in the basal ganglia (voluntary motor movements) of the brain.
Result tense muscles, tumours, joint rigidity
Bells Palsy
Paralysis/weakness of the facial muscles, lower and upper face paralysis
BLS what other conditions should you consider that may mimic a stroke
Drug ingestions, hypoglycaemia, severe HTN, CNS infection
BLS perform a secondary survey on a CVA pt
Facial symmetry, pupil size, abnormal speech, stiff neck, abnormal motor function, drift, sensory loss, incontinence,
BLS possible problems to prepare for during a CVA
Airway obstruction, decreasing LOC, seizure, agitation
BLS during a seizure in general consider (7)
Intracranial event, hypoglycaemia, eclampsia, febrile convulsions, infection, drugs, known seizure disorder
BLS during a seizure in age greater than 50 (5)
Brain tumor, dysrhythmia, cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, severe HTN
BLS observe for in seizure (4)
Eye Deviation, incontinence, parts of body affected, type of seizure
BLS in a seizure secondary survey (4)
Bleeding from mouth, incontinence, secondary injuries, tongue injury
